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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

When should one start applying eye cream? In their 20s? 30s? That is the question. After reading through several articles, it is said and agreed upon by many different dermatologists that eye cream isn't necessary in the 20s unless you have dry skin. Otherwise, they just promote sun protection.

I am in my mid-20s and I've been using eye creams for about 5 years now. I also have oily skin. Does that mean I've been doing my routine wrong all this time? Not necessarily. Although experts say that most people don't need it in this period of time, there are still exceptions to the rule. In my case, I started noticing dryness under my eyes at the young age of 21. Dryness leads to fine lines. Who wants that? I know I don't. This pushed me to start with eye cream.

Friday, September 26, 2014

One of my most abused beauty item this month would have to be my Sephora Sunset Palette, a product that I got almost a year ago. It is the only Sephora item in my collection and even though I had no intention of overusing it this month, I kind of did.

The palette itself is contained in a transparent plastic box.

I always try to switch out makeup products as much as I can because I want every single item in my collection to be used as frequently as possible. But of course, time and time again, there would be several products that stand out in a certain time period. This month, it's this.

Just like its name, the packaging is in sunset colors.

I mainly got this palette for my trip last year (December 2013) in Japan. While I was browsing through e-bay, I saw this product being sold at a very affordable price. I looked at the shades and without so much contemplation, I bought it. I thought it would be the perfect travel palette as it contains 14 beautiful wearable shades that can be used both for day and night. What's even better is that it includes a blush, a bronzer and a nice mirror, aside from 12 great eyeshadows.

I was really excited when I placed my order because I've never seen actual Sephora products in real life. I've heard of the brand a couple of times from different beauty gurus I was following so you can just imagine how excited I was at getting a hold of the product.

The palette comes in a handy packaging that is almost just the same size as my hand. It comprises of a combination of matte and shimmery eyeshadows, and of neutral and colored ones. There's also a (very) pigmented bronzer and a (not-so-pigmented) blusher.

For reference, each of the shade are labeled at the back of the palette so it's easy to say which is which.

But of course, it is never enough to just stare at their photos in the pan. An eyeshadow review must have swatches, right? I've swatched each and every single one of them just so you have a better grasp of how the product looks like when used.

I am very satisfied with this product. Almost all the shades are pigmented. True to my expectations, it is a good palette to bring with you when you travel.

This is a highly recommended product. If you're just starting out with makeup, I suggest you get this palette as it will have all the necessary colors to create a wide range of looks and it doesn't take much space as it's very compact.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

As if pimples on my face isn't enough, for the longest time, I've also had to battle back acne or bacne. Aside from the fact that it restricts the type of clothing you wear (no backless, no low back cuts), it's also really hard to self medicate. It's hard to do back spot treatment on your own. Unless you're The Incredible's Elastigirl, then I suppose you're like me. Your reach is probably limited and there are areas that you simply cannot cover.

Good thing I stumbled upon Snoe's Shoo Zit Don't Bother Me Spray Me From Behind Back Acne Spray (Try saying it. It's a mouthful, I know. Haha). It's basically a pimple treatment in the form of spray and it is commonly used for the back because it helps one cover everything, even areas that are hard to reach, all with little effort. Since it's in a spray form, the range is much wider and it can be applied easily.

Directions and warnings.

Its main ingredients include PUREFIX-DC and salicylic acid, a pimple treatment I've always trusted. This product really helps soothe swollen and 'angry' pimples. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen over night but rest assured, it performs quite well with continued use.

The only negative thing I can think of about this particular product is its fume-like smell. It's super strong. It definitely seeps in and makes one cough if not used correctly. That is why I would highly recommend that you spray it in a well ventilated place. Otherwise, you won't like the experience.

I got this in Snoe SM Sta. Rosa for only PHP349. What's even more
amazing about this is that Snoe is actually a local Filipino brand but
the quality of products they produce are amazing. I especially like
their packaging and the way they name their products. It reminds me of
Benefit.

Monday, September 22, 2014

One thing I get asked frequently is what kind of sunscreen I use
on my face. Honestly speaking, I never stick to one brand. I feel that
this is the part of my skin care routine in which I don't have to be
picky, brand-wise. But even if that's the case, there are still some
things I take into consideration when choosing one.

Before I get into that, I would just like to dedicate this short portion
to explain why sunscreen is needed. Yes, it is. Whether or not you're
using whitening/peeling products, sunscreen is very important. If you've
never gone out of the house and never noticed it (which I can hardy
believe is possible), the heat emitted by the sun is definitely not
something you can take lightly. Especially here in the Philippines, a
tropical country, direct sunlight for a couple of minutes might result
to unsolicited sun burn and wrinkles. So naturally, if you want even and
youthful looking skin, then you should definitely wear sunscreen.

So what do I look for in a sunscreen? For one, I make sure that my
sunscreen both has SPF and PA properties to provide me with both UVA and
UVB protection. I also feel that the minimum number of SPF that I
should use is 30. Moreover, I make sure that the formula isn't too
sticky. I like those that feels like a light lotion (THEFACESHOP) or one
that has a matte finish (this one). It also helps if the product
doesn't come with a hefty price tag.

If you're in a budget, I would highly recommend this one from Celeteque
as it has all the properties I'm looking for in a sunscreen. It's actually a moisturizer but it has SPF
30 and a PA protection, which they didn't indicate. It just said broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection but that's okay. It has a matte finish (perfect for those with oily skin
like me) and it only costs roughly PHP250 or 5.6USD. It also doesn't break my very
sensitive skin out. One tube would last for about half a year with
continued everyday use. It is also available in leading drug stores such
as Watsons, where I got mine.

If you're reading this and you're asking yourself whether you should buy
a sunscreen or not, I'm telling you, you should. If you're in a budget,
fret not, because Celeteque is a good dermatologist tested brand that's
pretty affordable. So for the final question, do I recommend it? The
answer's also 'Yes'.

Friday, September 19, 2014

It's time for another Korean trend post/review. One of the popular trends in Korea nowadays is creating/highlighting one's aegyosal. If you didn't already know, aegyosal is the bag that forms under your eyes when you smile. They believe that highlighting this area makes one look youthful. A good product to make use for this, in my opinion, would be eyeshadow sticks like the Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick I previously reviewed. But for a more subtle aegyosal definition, I like to use this Bling in the Sea Proof 10 Bling Eye Stick in #05 BL601 Bling Wave.

I've actually had this product with me for a year now. It was given to me as gift by a good friend of mine, (Ma'am) EJ. (Thank you!) She was my manager and one of the few people at work who also liked Korean cosmetics. You can only imagine my excitement when she handed me this product when I came back from my birthday leave last year. I don't really know why it took me so long to post a review on it.

Anyway, it's very much reminiscent of the Bling Bling Eye Stick I previously reviewed. With almost the same packaging (this one is slightly bigger), they both function as an eyeshadow stick. This one, however, is just a white stick with bits of bluish purple glitters in it. Also, I personally like this packaging better because it looks girlier with the pastel blue color.

One swipe

2-3 swipes

To be honest, I didn't know how to use it properly the first time I used it so noone noticed its presence on my lids. If you're gonna use it for your aegyosal, most people won't notice it unless you really pack it on, which I often do. It just leaves a nice shimmery touch on the bottom lids that makes people nearby notice and take a second look.

A better way to make use of the product is by layering it on top of a smudgeproof eyeliner. I prefer using liquid liners as gels and pencils stains and transfers to the the actual shadow stick. Since I always use it on top of a black eyeliner, the glitters stand out and becomes a lot more noticeable while still being wearable.

It could be because it's a cream form or maybe just because it's glittery, it is quite long wearing as I don't feel the need to reapply during the rest of the day. This is a good thing especially since I have oily lids and most products just tend to slide off my lids over time.

It's also very easy to use because it's in a stick form so you save a lot of time during the application process. So yes, no need for brushes! ^^

If you're looking for a nice, straight to the point, subtle eye makeup accent, then I definitely recommend this one from Etude House. For more information, you can like their Etude House Philippines' facebook page over here.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Hi guys! I know I skipped blogging for a few days. I've just been busy with a new hobby of mine, Clash of Clans. Let me know if you're also playing the game. Hehe! Also, I did have to go out the other day and I was pressed to edit a new video for my youtube channel. So yes, I can say that I was quite busy the past few days.

Today, I had to receive a visitor, a friend (Hi Lyle!). And I also filmed a video (which I have to refilm T_T) so I didn't have time to write up a post. So I'm just gonna have to share this video with you instead of writing up a new post. It's my August Favorites video, which I hope you enjoy watching.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Whenever I can't decide what nail enamel color I should sport, I always find myself going for a pink shade. For one, pink is my favorite color. Second, I feel that the color really suits me well. My mom always tell me that pink makes me look livelier. Lastly, I feel that with the right shade of pink, my nails look effortlessly nice and clean.

One of my favorite pink nail shade would have to be Candy-licious from Wet N Wild. I think it's the perfect shade of pink. It's not too bright, not too pale.

The nail polish applies really smoothly but you have to apply a good top coat to seal it and keep it from chipping. It's also pretty affordable at only PHP49. I bought it off of e-bay. Sadly, I can't find the seller's page anymore.

This is the first nail polish I've tried from this brand and I would have to say I'm pretty satisfied with its color and performance. I would love to try out other shades form this collection. Any recommendations? Let me know by commenting down below!

This post is super short as I just squeezed this in the middle of a drama marathon I'm having. I'm currently watching Fated to Love You (Korean version) and am now obsessed. I would love to talk more about the drama but I'm too excited to see what happens next that I'm just going to talk about it some more in a future post, probably in my other blog, Yoboseyo-Asia. Bye for now! :)

Friday, September 12, 2014

Here in the Philippines, most people would be satisfied to just look at the product description and instructions when choosing a product for themselves. In Korea, they go as far as looking at each of the product's ingredients as they are very familiar with each of them. They're very meticulous when it comes to skin care. This is the very reason why I trust Korean skin care trends. If South Koreans are very careful on choosing products that they apply on their skin, then that means I can trust their routines.

One of the trends that they follow would have to be the "One Mask A Day" routine. This is a trend that was popularized by Korean actresses and was revealed to be one of the secrets as to how they keep their skin youthful and glowy.

Personally, I was hesitant to try this trend. I do apply face masks but only once or twice a week. I never go more that that because I'm afraid that everyday mask sheets would be too rich for my oily, acne prone, sensitive skin. That's why I never tried it out until I bought this Holika Holika Holiday Vita B Daily Mask.

This product is actually a pack of 10 mask sheets that you can use for 10 consecutive days. It claims to be a product that would help make your skin clean and clear. I got this from a Korean online store called Kkochipida for the price of PHP195. There are other variants for this line too. If I'm not mistaken, there's an 'A' and a 'C' too. But because I am plagued with a lot of blemishes, I felt that the 'B' description fits me better.

Once opened, the product expires in 3 months.

I used this particular item for 9 consecutive nights in replacement for my serum and moisturizer. So after washing my face and applying toner, I immediately applied the mask sheet and left it on my face for about 20 minutes. For storage, I like to keep the pack inside a cool place (refrigerator) just so it gives a refreshing feeling when I finally use it.

To my delight, it yielded to the same face mask results that I was expecting. It made my skin soft, moisturized and it helped to calm down some of my active breakouts. Now that I've tried it out for myself, I find it funny that I was previously scared of trying it out.

I would definitely repurchase this if Kkochipida restocks on this. I'm not sure if this product is available here in the Philippines as there are no nearby Holika Holika boutique near my place but fret not, because you can just order it online like I did!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

I am one lazy kid. I knew I was supposed to have a post scheduled today but I was procrastinating too much that the day is almost at its end. And because I'm not in my 'writing mode', I just decided to share with you one of my makeup tutorials in my youtube channel.

This is actually K-Pop inspired. I'm not sure if you know of Kara but they are one of South Korea's most successful girl groups, especially in Japan. Although Nicole and Jiyoung already left the group, Kara still stands strong with a new member, Youngji. Their latest song is Mamma Mia and this look was inspired by their MV for that.

Basically, the look is a bronzey, goldish look. I really like their eye makeup. I feel that it is versatile as it can pass both as a day and night look. What do you think?

I'm filling this post with several photos to eat up space. Haha. Yes, that's how lazy I am. :)

If you want to know how I did this particular look, make sure to watch this video below. Otherwise, you can just comment down below on what you think of the makeup look basing from the photos above. :)

Monday, September 8, 2014

Because I don't want you to get confused with the product name, let me just put it out there that even though this item is called the "Every Month" cleansing foam, it doesn't follow that you can only use this once a month. Honestly, when I first read the product name, I was confused but I trusted on my better judgment that cleansing foams are products that can be safely used for everyday.

The reason why it is called Every Month Cleansing Foam is because this particular line has 12 variants for 12 different skin types. Each of the variant corresponds to a month since as you probably have already guessed, we have 12 months in a year.

I got this particular product in the #7 variant, Aloe Vera Soothing Relief. I'm supposing this is the July counter part from the 12 and even though it wasn't really stipulated in the description, I believe they placed the Aloe variant as #7 because July is generally a part of the summer season in South Korea. A soothing product would definitely fit that type of weather.

Frankly speaking, my friend who got this for me only bought this because she knew that my favorite number is 7. It was only a bonus that I liked Aloe skin care products because I know that Aloe products are good for irritated skin.

Note how the product description has a major mistake. Instead of "aloe vera extracts that soothes irritated skin", they ended up with "aloe vera extract that soothes and irritates skin". (First line of description pictured above.) Oh well, you can pretty much tell what they were trying to say anyway. :)

When I first tried it, I didn't really find anything new to note of this product. The product itself looks like a clear gel and it just basically foams up like any other cleansing foams I've tried. I initially expected it to be cooling at some point but it wasn't. It was very typical and I didn't really find myself being impressed nor disappointed with the product. It didn't break me out but it didn't really help with my current skin troubles so again, I just felt in between.

It's sealed! Yay!

During a swimming getaway that I had with friends, however, I slightly burned the high points of my face particularly the center of my nose and cheeks and it turned a bright pink from over exposure to sun. I used this facial foam for that along with my Nature Republic Soothing Aloe Gel which I reckoned would do the trick to calm my skin down. True to my expectations, just with one use, I woke up to a better non-pink, no-sore face situation. With that, I concluded that I would finally step out of the neutral orb and consider this product with a positive thought.

Though I wouldn't really recommend this for acne prone skin to treat/diminish blemishes, it is still a good product to try for 'aggravated' skin due to the harmful effects of the sun. It instantly soothes and relieves the skin from irritations, just as it promised in its description. I personally don't know how much this costs because this was given to me as a birthday gift but you can visit Etude House's facebook page and website for more details.

Out of all the 12 variants, which one have you tried or do you want to try the most? Please let me know in the comment section below.

About

Anna LuisaAugust 7Filipina girl in her mid-20s with a passion for all things K-Pop related and beauty. If you are a company and you would like to sponsor and/or advertise on my blog, feel free to e-mail me at lotsofgirlstuff@gmail.com

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